On Saturday, 16th October 2006, a group of 15 girls travelled in to the world of people who they never realized existed. They were determined  to make a difference into the lives of the less fortunate children in the Rural Centre of Burani.

Herebelow is the report by the girls.

  IFTAR TO CHILDREN AT BURANI CENTRE

It all began on Wednesday when Mrs. Dhanji visited Jaffery Academy for a pastoral class. The topic for her talk was based on the less fortunate and the needy and she went on to show us a presentation on what elements made their day. This consisted of how they lived, what they ate, in what conditions they learnt and what was their only clothing.

She talked about how thankful we should be for what we have because they don’t have half of what we do but they still manage to praise and thank the Almighty.

This lecture touched on deeply because it’s true-when you have something, you don’t realize its value until you lose it and for us, we always knew that there were people who needed help but we had never sat to think and consider how desperate they might be. It was a God sent message that through this presentation, we traveled in to the world of people who we never realized existed.

With our minds fully motivated and bodies totally psyched, we planned a class activity to go to these centres and do the little that we could to make a difference to these peoples lives. We worked hard all week collecting donations in the form of stationery,beans,rice,sugar,majani,flour,bread,juices,biscuits,sweets and sanitary towels, We wanted to make it happen-nothing was going to stop us.

We worked fast and with a lot of support and encouragement from Mrs. Dhanji and the Bilal Organisation, we finally took off on Saturday the 7th October 2006 at 1:30p.m.

There were a lot of last minute memories such as the bean sack bursting, but we all gathered together with a smile and some how managed to load it on to the bus-moreover, it was all the experience we could get.

We were a group of about 15 girls, 2 mothers, Mrs. Dhanji, a lady from Bilal (Ummi),Ma’lim and a truck of all our packed food following us closely.

We arrived at the Burani centre at around 4:00p.m. due to a lot of traffic which caused us a little delay. Excited and anxious, we all rushed in to the centre to be greeted by several students-all and cheerful. These very smiles made our day, however, it was only the beginning.

We continued to visit all the classes where we sat and talked to the students, laughed with them and they even had Islamic poems to sing to us. Their goal was focused and even though they had little, they didn’t fail to educate themselves.

Later, all the classes together presented a short but a wonderful program which was a truly touching moment for us all. Children who could not even speak yet and young teenagers who took care of them created such a warm and hospitable atmosphere which made us feel like part of them.

It was then time for the food distribution where all the students made queues and we all distributed the food with our own hands. The feeling experienced was so uplifting and brought about a sense of satisfaction.

Finally at around 7:00p.m.,it was time to head back home and although no one wanted to, we had to board the bus.

Never the less, the whole trip on its own was an amazing experience. An experience that can’t be put in to words or a paper but it is that which will remain in our hearts as a fond memory forever.

It is a trip that has taught us to value the most minute things in our daily lives and has made us realize how blessed we are to living luxuriously.

It is a must visit for everyone especially the youth because it’s a life changing experience. Hearing about it and being there are 2 totally different perceptions.

We thank Allah (S.W.T.) for having given us an opportunity to serve in His path. Our thanks also go Mrs. Dhanji and the Bilal Organisation for having given us an awakening buzz and for having fully supported us. We shall be more than willing to be involved in such events anytime. may the Almighty continue giving the strength and courage to organize such events more often for serving humanity carries great reward!